Here's the deal about Yosemite that makes it
the perfect, and I mean perfect, family vacation. There's something for
everyone except:

Television (only in the Ahwahnee
Hotel; have them take it out!!!)
Radio (very little FM reception, and static AM)
Telephones (only in some hotels.)

Yosemite is the ultimate family experience.
It is the best place in the world to bring children. There is nothing here
that would be the slightest bit offensive to even the most sensitive attitudes in
experiencing a wholesome family experience throughout. As long as you use common sense
about safety when allowing your children to experience the wilderness, they will be
mesmerized. Plus, children will benefit in several ways. First, they are not
watching TV or playing video games. They are learning about nature and
experiencing the outdoors as it existed hundreds of years ago. They
are getting exercise, they are being challenged, and learning new things and
meeting new people from all over the world.

Second, since they are not watching TV and
such, they are talking to YOU and EACH OTHER which cannot do anything but strengthen your
relationship. Bring your children and watch them open up to the endless opportunities for
discovery at this unbelievable place.

Now, having said all that, I offer the
following observations;

Yosemite gets 2.5 to 3 million visitors per year. (4 million
was the peak in 1994)
Some people enjoy crowds. Don't ask me why; it's just part of what makes the world go
'round. Yes, in the summer Yosemite has crowds and if you enjoy making new
friends and hanging out with lots of people, Yosemite Valley can accommodate you.
The campgrounds, while fun, and convenient to everything there is to do in the
Valley, are totally void of privacy. The campsites are jammed in on top of each
other, and you will become friends with the occupants of an adjoining site; you
won't be able to avoid each other. If your neighbor snores, you will get no sleep.
The campgrounds inTuolumne
are compact, but not as bad as in the valley. The restaurants, hotels, lodges and so on in
the valley, are typical tourist crowds. Kids and teenagers enjoy making new friends, and I
suppose that's justification enough. But if you want to get away, alone, it's real
easy to do. Go for an over night "camp-out" down a wilderness trail out of
the valley, or hang out in the Tuolumne Meadows area. At Tuolumne Meadows there are
miles of trails on reasonably even terrain with terrific views and good fishing where one
can find solitude easily without a lot of physical exertion.

The point is, let your
imagination
run. Don't be afraid to try new things. If you are new to
the wilderness, and
you're just not one of these "roughing it" people, you can keep your
creature
comforts and still get a healthy taste of a genuine wilderness
experience.
You can go in royal style
when you utilize the pack services to take you into the back country.
There truly is nothing like being comfortable in the back
country for a few
days to get the full flavor of what Yosemite is all about. And,
without
getting on my soapbox, words do not exist that adequately describe the
feeling
of watching the sunrise from a Yosemite high-wilderness vantage point,
or a
sunset under the same circumstances. Surely, you must
experience it
at least once in your life.

Again, it will take you about
two weeks of intense, 10 hours-a-day effort to do everything there is to do in this
magnificent place.

Have Fun!

About the Eastern Sierra
I must confess, I do not know the area
east of Yosemite as well as I should. I've never skied Mammoth, or been south of
Lee Vining, but it's a beautiful area, and has unbelievable views to the west.
Consider it DURING SUMMER ONLY if you are planning to include the park in your
itinerary. It's an excellent ski vacation, but the park is closed from the east
during winter. Click here to learn
about Mammoth and Bishop and the eastern Sierra.